NATIONAL FORUM ON INNOVATIONS IN NONFORMAL EDUCATION

The Bureau of Nonformal Education-Department of Education, Culture and Sports (BNFE-DECS) sponsored in December 2000 a national forum on recent innovations in nonformal education, in cooperation with SEAMEO INNOTECH.

The “National Forum on Innovations in Nonformal Education: The Challenges for Teacher Training Institutions” aimed to heighten awareness and generate support for the institutionalization of the Non- formal Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE A&E) System, a nonformal alternative learning system that addresses the requirements of the Education for All Philippine Plan of Action. It was held in support of DECS’ thrust to extend the reach of basic education programs and services to as many clients as possible.

The forum served as venue for teacher educators to discuss the implications of the transformations in nonformal education to the structure and content of teacher education and training. Forum participants also talked about options for upgrading teacher education with specialization in nonformal education.

They had explored as well the possibility of incorporating community service in nonformal education as a component of undergraduate and graduate teacher curricula.

Key officials of selected state universities and colleges, and private educational institutions, including government agencies concerned with higher and teacher education, participated in the forum.

Dr. Charles Currin, lead education specialist of the Asian Development Bank and Hon. Allen Quimpo, committee chair on basic education at the House of Representatives, served as reactors to group presentations. Four experts in the field of nonformal education served as the forum’s resource persons: former SEAMEO INNOTECH Director, Dr. Minda C. Sutaria, Barasoin Center for Innovative Education Director Dr. Catalino R. Rivera and BNFE Consultants Ms. Hortensia Benoza and Dr. Francisco A. Trespeces. BNFE Director Dr. Rosario J. de Guzman led the group from DECS while Program Director for Training Dr. David V. Catanyag, together with Senior Training Specialist Dr. Ophelia P. Veniegas and Training Associate Ms. Monique Adalem, led the group from SEAMEO INNOTECH.

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